Love Invalid

Chapter Two

Athena

I wake up to the sound of my alarm, blaring into my eardrums. My hands move up to find my phone and once I get a grip on it, I throw it down on the floor. The loud thud comes with the silence of the alarm. I smile unknowingly before closing my eyes again.

Just in time when I feel like my dreams would get any better, the sound of my alarm makes me open my eyes widely and throw pillows all over the room, ''Damn it.'' I curse under my breath, taking a glance at my alarm clock on the nightstand.

8.45am.

I'm late, who cares? I tie my hair up into a messy bun before jumping off the bed. I see my phone on the ground and I take it. I nod in satisfaction when I find out that I manage to turn the alarm off just by throwing the phone on the ground.

When I walk out of my room, I take the remote control and turn the tv on. My eyes landed on the screen in front of me. A familiar blonde woman smiling toward the camera as she pick up her cards.

I walk toward the kitchen and I take a glass of water before returning back to the living room.

''We on BuzzTV bring you the best gossips from all over the world! From different celebrities to satisfy you. Today on BuzzTV, we have the unexpected!''

''The well known footballer, Alexander Herrera was caught kissing with a mystery woman. Let's check it out.''

I snort unknowingly at the sound of him kissing a mystery woman. I still remember that Joanna told me he has been single for the past three years, I guess he has found someone to bang. I drink the glass of water but my eyes went wide to find a video of me and Alexander kissing in front of the bar.

''What the hell?!'' I shout loudly, trying to keep the water in my mouth without spilling.

''Oh, what a hot steamy kiss! The mystery woman seems to enjoy the kiss as much as Alex. One of our fellow reporters manage to caught that steamy moment but unfortunately, she walks away a few minutes after, leaving Alexander staring at her back.''

''Who could the mystery woman be? We'll find out soon! Stay tune with BuzzTV.''

My eyes still opens wide in shock, ''Mother of—'' I was cut off with my ring tone. I look at the Caller ID to find Joanna calling me, ''Joanna!'' I shout her name as I take another sip of my water.

''Oh my god, Athena! Have you seen the news?'' Her voice sounded excited yet confused at the same. Well hell, I'm much more confused!

The guy I met at the bar yesterday was surely not Alexander Herrera, I'm sure of that but then again, he's name is sure is Alexander. I furrow my eyebrows, trying to remember what happened yesterday but I can't really recall much. I remember telling him to go away but he didn't budge. I remember checking him out and I remember seeing him smile.

''I... I just saw what happened.'' I mutter lightly.

I don't really remember how I got home yesterday but I don't have the time to really think right now. My mind feels corrupted and it feels like I can't even think any further.

''Is that really you?'' She asks this time, making me feel a little bit confuse myself. I reach for the remote control and I press the rewind button. When the video of me kissing Alexander is back, I press the pause button. From behind, it is surely me. Those brown hair are mine and I am definitely sure that the blouse I was wearing belongs to me.

I look down to see that I am still in the same blouse.

''I think...'' I reply before cupping my face, ''What the hell is going on, Joanna?''

It takes her a few seconds to respond, ''You're asking me?! You should ask yourself.'' She snaps from the other line. I sigh, long enough, ''What really happened yesterday?''

''Look, I went to the bar and met this guy. His name was Alexander but I—''

Joanna cuts me off, ''No buts! I am hundred percent sure that the Alexander you met yesterday is Alexander Herrera. No doubts.''

''But, but...'' I close both of my eyes before laying on the couch, ''I was drunk yesterday, I can't really remember well.''

''That's why. You were drunk yesterday and right now you're not so sure yourself because you can't really remember much! You need to come to work ASAP. We need to discuss this before it gets any worst.'' And with that she hung up. I groan in frustration before standing up and running toward my bedroom. She has a great habit on hanging up the phone first without me expecting.

After showering, I walk toward my walk-in closet and take my red loose blouse with a black pencil skirt which shows my leg perfectly. I wear my black ballet flats before doing my makeup. Nothing much, just adding foundation, fill in my brows and a few coats of mascara. Last but not least, a baby lips lip balm. Oh and let's not forget to spray some perfume.

I untie my hair from the messy bun and brush it nicely, leaving it into a neat loose waves. Taking my black handbag with me, I put my phone and my purse inside.

I close the front door behind me before locking the door. When I turn around, I can see two tall and huge men standing with both of their hands on their sides. My eyes widen in shock as I put my house keys in my handbag.

When I try to walk past them, they block me, ''Excuse me?'' I raise an eyebrow at both of them.

They are huge and anyone could have mistaken them as a wrestler.

''We want you to come with us.'' One of them say.

''No no,'' I take a few steps back, ''You must have got the wrong person.''

''You're Athena Delaney, twenty-four and you're currently working at Published.'' The other one says, both of their faces, as serious as hell, ''How can we be mistaken.''

I gulp. Why do they want me? I hold tightly onto my handbag before turning right and left, finding a great opportunity to run. I breathe in before exhaling, come on, just run Athena.

My heart beat keeps on raising every second so I take my chance to run. I turn right and start to run as fast as I can. I grip tightly onto my handbag. People are looking at me as if I have lost my mind.

''Hey!'' One of them shout but I keep on running, not even glancing behind me. Lucky for me, I am wearing flats instead of high heels.

''Leave me alone!'' I shout loudly before pushing the people who tries to block my way. My legs seem to agree with my brain so I keep on running. If I had run like this back in high school, I would have won the track.

A pair of large hands suddenly wrap around my waist which cause me to scream as loud as I can. I look down to see myself staring at someone's butt. I keep on throwing my legs up and down but his hand on my thigh secured me tightly.

''Let me down!'' I punch on his back but he doesn't budge. I can see that we are walking back toward the direction of my apartment, ''Put me down, you assholes!'' I shout louder this time as I keep on throwing my legs up in the air. I don't care if people might see what's under my skirt but this is pissing me off.

''This is illegal!'' I groan loudly.

Without me knowing, I am pushed at the backseat of a car. When I wanted to open the doors, they have locked the doors immediately. I knock loudly on the windows, ''What the hell are you doing?! Let me out!'' I shout at the driver who is one of the tall men outside.

They both enter the car and they just ignore my tantrums. I try my best to break the windows but nothing seems to work. I try to scratch it with my keys but it only left me with anger raging inside me.

After a few minutes, I start to breathe heavily and just stay quiet. I start to pray silently that I might end up being safe. I never was a saint so during these times, I needed god. When the car comes to a halt, I hold tightly onto myself, scared if they might hurt me.

''Why are we stopping?'' That seems like a stupid question right now because I wanted them to stop and let me go but this only leaves me in curiosity.

''We're here.'' The driver says. The man at the passenger seat walks out and open the door to my side. I look at him in horror but he seems like he isn't the one to play games so if I don't want him to drag me out, I gladly walk out myself.

Both of them are securing my arms, not letting me run as we walk inside the building. People inside seems to not paying attention much. They just look at us but then they immediately look away. What the hell is wrong with everyone?!

After walking out of the elevator, we arrived at the tenth floor. I look around to see that the hallway is quite empty, only a few people passing by. One of the men opens the door and they drag me inside.

I look up to see familiar brown haired guy...

''Oh my god!'' I shout loudly before freeing myself, ''I can f*****g walk by myself.'' I spat through gritted teeth and they finally let me go to close the door behind us. I look up to find an amuse man looking at me, ''Would you care to explain why I'm here?'' I ask roughly.

This isn't a great way to start my morning.

''Care to take a seat, Ms. Delaney?'' The man who still has amusement in his eyes stand up to point at the seat besides the familiar guy.

''Why would I?'' I cross my arms but to find myself being pushed by one of the buffy men. I groan lightly before pushing them back. Their eyes went wide to suddenly find me using my strength, ''Don't touch me,'' I glare at them before sitting on the chair.

I look left and my eyes widen immediately.

''You have got to be kidding me.'' I mutter in frustration before letting out a loud sigh, ''What the hell is he doing here?'' I look up at the guy before pointing at Alexander.

''Okay, Ms. Delaney, you must be wondering why you're here.'' He ignores my question as he sit back down, looking directly at me, ''And being dragged by my men, I apologise.''

I roll my eyes but keep quiet instead.

''I'm Simon, Alexander's manager.'' Simon points at Alexander who is just looking down at his hands. He seems like he is in his own world.

''Why do you need me here?'' I ask, slightly annoyed.

''Let me explain the situation first, Ms. Delaney.'' He was about to open his mouth but,

I cut him off before he could continue, ''Athena.'' I feel like there's no need for him to call me Ms. Delaney. I don't really like all this formalities. I can see Alexander clench his jaw beside me but I just ignore him.

''Alright, Athena.'' He sighs, ''You must have known that Alexander has been single for the past three years and this morning, after seeing the news and finding out that Alexander was caught kissing with someone yesterday really makes the reporters gone mad. And that someone is you, which explains why you're here.''

I snort, ''It was a kiss.''

''A kiss, indeed.'' He nods, ''It was just a simple kiss but the reporters wants to know who's the mystery girl. Since they haven't caught your face in the video and in pictures, they are in need of knowing.''

''That has nothing to do with me.'' I point at myself. This is getting nowhere, to be honest, ''Is this some sort of prank?''

''No, Athena.'' He shakes his head, ''I just need your help.''

''My help?'' I fake a laugh, ''I'm sorry but I'm not at your service.''

Simon seems to find me a bit annoying but he tries his best to hide that he hates the fact that I am complicated, ''The fact that Alex has been single for three years has bothered almost everyone. Then you came along, they all thought that Alex has been hiding you from the media and the press. So, they won't stop, not until they find out. That will bother Alex's training hours, privacy and reputation if they keep on following him everywhere he goes.''

He turns his laptop so that the screen will be facing me, ''As you can see here...'' He presses the space bar and the video starts to play. I look down the screen to find Alexander walking out of his car to find a group of reporters running toward him. He looks at them in confusion but he immediately step inside his car again. The video ends there, ''This is what happened this morning.''

I cross my arms, ''I wasn't the one who kissed him.'' Alex just sits beside me, keeping quiet. I don't know what the hell is going on with him but he should have not agree with this.

''But you kissed him back. Either of you who kisses first isn't the mather right now,'' Simon closes his laptop before turning to look at me again, ''So I need to put you in agreement with Alex.''

''Agreement?'' I shake my head in denial, ''I don't want to be in any agreement.''

''Alex has signed the contract and it's your turn.'' Simon takes out a paper from his file, ''This is for the sake of Alex's reputation and this is for the sake of the reporters so that they would leave him alone. We won't bother you anymore after this.''

''What do you mean? What kind of contract?'' I furrow my eyebrows as I glance at Alex—oh I'm calling him Alex now for short, oops.

''Marriage contract.'' Simon fakes a smile, ''You will be engaged right after you sign this contract and Alex will make it official when you two attend an event in a week. The engagement lasts for two weeks and both of you will get married after that. You will live with him and be the happy marriage couple in front of everyone.''

My eyes widen as I stare at him in disbelief, ''What?'' I ask him to repeat. I clearly heard what he said but my brain can't really accept the fact, ''M—marriage contract?'' I stutter. Knowing the fact that I have to live with him isn't calming me down either, but marriage?!

''Yes, Athena.'' He nods before pushing the paper toward me. I look down to see that Alex has signed his part and there is only one part left, my part.

''Okay.'' I stand up, ''Cut this whole crap. Is this a show or some joke because this isn't funny anymore! I was dragged here by god knows who and then I am forced to sign this marriage agreement? Excuse me but this is not happening.'' I start to pick up my bag and walk away.

''Athena.'' But his voice makes me stop from going any further, ''Sit down.'' Yup, Alex's voice.

I turn to look at him, ''Oh so now he talks?''

His eyes meet mine but they are empty. They don't show the same expression or emotions he did yesterday. They were just plain blue. There isn't any smile appearing. He's just looking at me with a bored expression. How can someone change in a day?

''You're not the Alex I met yesterday. He talks on his own behalf, he laughs, he smiles, he listens but you're not that guy. I'm sorry but this is just stupid.'' I was about to continue but the two men blocks me from going anywhere.

''Athena, if you walk away right now, we won't hesitate to put bad rumors about you in the news.'' Simon says this time. I turn to look at him as he continue, ''This is a simple agreement. The marriage ends as soon as the World Cup does in July. All you need to do is pretend as a married couple—well not exactly pretending because you two will be married. Come on, Athena, you two are adults... sign the divorce papers after six more months, it isn't a big deal.''

''Isn't a big deal?'' I look away. Unbelievable.

''Sign this.'' He pushes the agreement again, I look down at the paper before walking toward it. I grab the pen roughly before signing the paper. I throw the pen on the ground as I glare at him in dissatisfaction.

''Happy?'' I spat.

Simon nods before taking the agreement. And before I could turn around, I decided on a better way. I kick Simon's groin which cause him to fall onto the ground, holding his willy.

I turn to look at Alex who has already standing and looking at me in surprise. I smirk at him, ''Happy knowing you, dear fiancè.'' And with that, I walk out of the room.